CHANCROID (SOFT CHANCRE, ULCUS MOLLE): CAUSES, LOCATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SORES, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

OVERVIEW

 Chancroid is a Sexually Transmitted Disease caused by the bacteria Hemophilus ducreyi. It is also known as soft chancre or ulcus molle and its major symptom is the appearance of painful sores or ulcers on the genitals of both men and women. These sores appear at the point where the bacteria entered the genital. In men, the locations of the sores may include: the shaft, foreskin, head, opening of the penis, the groove behind the penis or the scrotum. In women, the locations of the sores may include: the labia minora, labia majora, the perineal area, clitoris or the vestibule. Other symptoms of chancroid include: dysuria, dyspareunia, enlargement of the lymph nodes etc. Treatment and prevention of chancroid include: use of antibiotics such as azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin; Strict use of contraceptives before sex
 

Chancroid sores/ulcers on the vagina

CAUSES

Most times, these ulcers are mistaken to be hard chancre (the typical sore of primary syphilis) instead of the soft chancre of chancroid.

This disease is very common in developing and third world countries. It is also found in developed countries, but among people who has recently returned from chancroid endemic areas

During sex between infected and un-infected persons, Haemophilus ducreyi enters into the skin through breakages in the mucosal lining of the genitals. Within 2weeks after this invasion (entrance of the bacteria), the previously un-infected person (now infected) will get a small bump on the genitals. Within a day or two after its appearance, this bump then develops into an ulcer.

Hemophilus ducreyi: the bacteria that causes Chancroid

 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Most infected men have only a single ulcer, while infected women often have four or more ulcers. The characteristics of the ulcers are:

• Its size ranges from 1/8inches to 2inches in diameter 

• It is soft and painful 

• It has well-defined borders 

• Its base is covered with a gray or yellowish-gray material and bleeds easily if it is scraped

The location(s) on the genital where the ulcer occurs is usually the place where the bacteria entered into the genitals.

Common locations in men are:

• Shaft of the penis

• Foreskin of the penis 

• Head of the penis 

• Opening of the penis 

• Groove behind the penis 

• Scrotum

Chancroid sores/ulcers on the penis

Common locations in women are: 

• Labia majora (the outer lips of the vagina) 

• Labia minora (the inner lips of the vagina) 

• The perineal area (the area between the vagina and the anus)

• Clitoris

• The vestibule (the hollow entrance of the vagina) 

• Inner thighs

Other signs and symptoms of chancroid (though not experienced by every patient) are:

• Painful lymphadenopathy 

• Painful urination (Dysuria) and painful intercourse (Dyspareunia) can also be experienced by females. This is due to the presence of the ulcer in the vestibule

• Enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes, the nodes located in the fold between the leg and the lower abdomen, just beside the genitals 

Following the enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes, the nodes could rupture through the skin, producing abscess (formation of pus). The swollen lymph nodes and abscesses are collectively referred to as buboes

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Treatment and prevention options for chancroid are: 

• Administration of antibiotics such as azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin 

• Drainage of the abscess

• Avoidance of sex or strict use of condom

Thanks For Making This Possible! Kindly Bookmark and Share it.